Bird question

If you tear out bushes with Cardinal nests or fledglings it will be an issue for them.  Have you checked the bushes for nests?  Cardinals often raise 2 or 3 broods a year, as well, so you’ll want to know if there are nests for sure–it might be hard to find a time when you won’t disrupt them.  They do prefer brambly bushes over trees, so they  may or may not move to a wooded area depending on the undergrowth.  What kind of grosbeaks do you have?  and where are you in the US?  I don’t know much about grosbeak nesting but we have had cardinals nest here for years and have watched them.  We love the funny little fledglings.  I’d go poking in those bushes and see if there are a few you can save or if you can wait a wee bit and see if you can catch them after they fledge a batch and before they build a new nest–which can be pretty close.  If conditions are good in your area they may start another nest while still feeding fledglings.  LOL  I know my kids would never forgive me if I tore out nests in spring!

Can you just trim back all the overgrowth and clear the creek that way….birds love the stability of their homes and at this time of year hate to be disturbed. We have robins, cardinals, finches, sparrows, mockingbirds and all kinds of other birds in our garden now and occasionaly a hawk comes and snatches one from inside a bush – not nice to see but nature at its best. I love to have them in the yard, and they bring real joy to us all. We also have two nesting boxes which are always occupied for roosting and nesting. I hope you can clear things without destroying the homes…